Alana Gomez - The Independent Florida Alligator

Senior Rachel Slocum tied for a first-place finish in vault during the NCAA Regionals on April 7. She and two other seniors competed in their last meet during the Super Six on Saturday.

Alligator File Photo

SPORTS | GYMNASTICS

UF moving on from third-place finish at Super Six

By Alana Gomez | Apr. 22, 2018

As it marched out to The Chainsmokers’ “Something Just Like This,” the Florida gymnastics team danced, Gator Chomped and smiled, hyping up the crowd at Chaifetz Arena in St. Louis on Saturday night with its infectious energy. Even UCLA’s fans participated in the fun, doing the Gator Chomp back to UF as it lined up single file on stage to collect its third-place trophy at the NCAA Super Six team final. There were no signs that the team had just lost a national title to UCLA by .225 of a point.

Senior Alex McMurtry scored a season-high 9.975 in uneven bars in Florida's third-place finish at the Super Six on Saturday.

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SPORTS | GYMNASTICS

Florida finishes third at Super Six, UCLA wins national title

By Alana Gomez | Apr. 21, 2018

For the second night in a row, the Gators gymnastics team held the same narrative. Similar to its performance at the NCAA Championships on Friday, it all came down to the floor routine if Florida wanted to stay afloat in the Super Six team finals on Saturday night in St. Louis, Missouri.

Florida's gymnastics team finished second at the NCAA Championships on Friday night in St. Louis, securing a spot in Saturday's Super Six team final.

Emma Green

SPORTS | GYMNASTICS

Gators take second at NCAA Championships, advance to Super Six

By Alana Gomez | Apr. 20, 2018

In her final pass on floor, freshman Alyssa Baumann carried a heavy burden.

Junior Alicia Boren and the Florida gymnastics team are in St. Louis to compete in the NCAA Championships tonight at 7. Oklahoma, Utah, Washington, California and Kentucky are the other teams competing in UF's group.

Emma Green

SPORTS | GYMNASTICS

Gators' national title hopes on the line tonight in St. Louis

By Alana Gomez | Apr. 19, 2018

Alicia Boren isn’t one to make predictions.

Senior Alex McMurtry's fall during her floor routine at the SEC Championships resulted in her season-low score in the event.

Taylour Marks

SPORTS | GYMNASTICS

Gators prepare for a return to the podium at NCAA Championships

By Alana Gomez | Apr. 12, 2018

The SEC Championships on March 24 marked two changes for the Gators gymnastics team.

Senior Rachel Slocum took home an individual title on vault in Florida's first-place finish at the NCAA Regional Championships on Saturday.

Emma Green

SPORTS | GYMNASTICS

Slocum and McMurtry shine as Gators win NCAA Regionals

By Alana Gomez | Apr. 9, 2018

Right before senior Rachel Slocum stepped up to the mat for her floor routine during the NCAA Regionals on Saturday, teammate Alex McMurtry ran up to her, grabbed her hands and touched her forehead to Slocum’s. Although it only lasted three seconds, the private moment had a clear effect on Slocum, who went on to claim her first floor title as a Gator.

Senior Alex McMurtry took the individual title in the All Around (39.725) in Florida's win at the NCAA Regional Championship in University Park, Pennsylvania.

Emma Green

SPORTS | GYMNASTICS

Florida finishes first at NCAA Regionals, qualifies for NCAA Championships

By Alana Gomez | Apr. 7, 2018

The moment before senior Alex McMurtry landed her final pass on floor, Rec Hall was quiet.

NACGC second-team All-American Rachel Gowey said practices leading up to the NCAA Regional Championships have been intense. “Putting the pressure on it helped us," she said.

Emma Green

SPORTS | GYMNASTICS

Gators set to compete at NCAA Regionals

By Alana Gomez | Apr. 7, 2018

When the No. 5 Gators enter Penn State's Rec Hall in University Park, Pennsylvania, on Saturday, they will be looking to advance to the NCAA Championships for the 36th time in 37 years.

Senior Kennedy Baker tore her Achilles tendon during her floor routine against Arkansas. Now, she said she wants to be her team's biggest cheerleader.

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SPORTS | FEATURES

VITAL SIGNS: Baker using ASL to connect with cousin

By Alana Gomez | Apr. 5, 2018

Kennedy Baker awaited her cue on the edge of the mat as her gold eyeshadow and silver eyeliner masked the nerves that vibrated through her body. She swept her hair back and looked around at the sold-out crowd of 9,661 while the sparkles on her blue and orange uniform twinkled under the dim lights of the O’Connell Center.

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SPORTS | GYMNASTICS

Gators gymnastics practices through Easter to prepare for NCAA Regionals

By Alana Gomez | Apr. 5, 2018

The atmosphere in Florida’s practice gym on Wednesday was as normal as any other day this spring.